Shirley Thomas

Shirley Mae Thomas, Age 84, Of Battle Creek, passed away at home on Friday, August 3, 2012, surrounded by her family. Shirley was born on March 2, 1928, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Lyle C. and Bessie (Hunt) Avery, Sr. She had been a lifelong resident of the area and attended Battle Creek Central High School.   On September 12, 1948, in Chattanooga, TN, she was united in marriage to Carl A. Thomas who survives. They would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this September.  Shirley worked for Robinson’s Department Store for 5 years and then for Avery’s Furniture, her parent’s furniture store in Battle Creek for several years. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Bedford Lodge. Shirley enjoyed flower gardening, crosswords, cooking and baking, country music and spending time with her family. Surviving are her husband, Carl; children, Linda (James) Hooper, Michael Thomas and Sharon (Rick) Britten all of Battle Creek; 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; a sister, Brenda (James) Lipps of Noblesville, IN; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Craig Guffey; one brother and two sisters. The family is grateful for caregivers and special friends of the family Sybil, Carmen, Debbie, Laurie and Sandy. Visitation will be held Monday from 2 to 4:00 p.m. and 6 to 8:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at the funeral home with The Rev. Brad Smith of Grace Community Church officiating. Entombment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.

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